New Castle Sweeps Northview to Repeat as 3A Champions
New Castle captured its second straight Class 3A state championship with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-14) dismantling of Northview.
Coach Sarah Roush took over the New Castle program this season after the Trojans topped Brebeuf Jesuit for last year’s title. In capturing their third state title overall (the Trojans won Class 4A in 2007), New Castle did so with a roster of only two seniors.
Sophomore Mabrey Shaffmaster led the Trojans (35-5) with a Class 3A state finals record 28 kills, while sister Melani Shaffmaster, a junior, had 36 assists, giving her 1,029 for the season.
After a close first set, coach Erica Garrison’s Northview squad (36-3) took a 14-10 lead in set two before New Castle took over. The Trojans broke out to a 13-5 lead in set three and rolled to the victory.
Jenny Lundy led the Knights (who were also runners-up in 2014) with 13 kills, while Kambree Lucas had 11 assists and 12 digs. Northview entered the match on a 21-match winning streak, having won 59 of the previous 61 sets played.
Madeline Sinders of Northview selected for Mental Attitude Award
At the conclusion of the state finals, the IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, named Madeline Sinders of Northview High School as the winner of the Class 3A Mental Attitude Award.
Sinders is the third student athlete from Northview to receive an IHSAA Mental Attitude Award and the first since 1994.
Academically, Madeline ranks in the top 15% of her senior class and was a 2017 Academic All-Conference member. She is the Advanced Choir President, an ambassador of Northview’s National Honor Society, and a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Madeline also takes time to coach youth volleyball at her local YMCA, as well as at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Madeline is widely recognized for her singing as she has been named All-State Choir three times, All-State Jazz Choir twice, and is a three-time Gold Medalist for ISSMA District and State Solo competitions. Madeline sang the National Anthem for the 2017 IHSAA Girls Basketball State Finals and has also sang at Indiana State University basketball games.
In addition to volleyball, she is also a member of the Northview track and field team.
Madeline is the daughter of Darby and Cathy Sinders of Brazil, Ind. and plans to study Music Therapy at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior player who was nominated by her principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, presenting sponsor of the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Volleyball, will donate $1,000 to Northview’s general scholarship fund in the name of Madeline Sinders.